| AudioREVIEW's Forum Archives - All About Speakers |
|
|   If Total Speaker Budget is $1,500, Then What System is Best? | gladtrix
Jul 24, 2001 5:51 AM | | I want to acquire the following 5.1 speaker system:
2 Full range, floor standing, tower speakers (2-Way or 3-Way).
1 Center
2 Surround rear speakers (Bipole, Dipole, or direct)
1 Subwoofer
If my finite budget were only $1,500 (for all six speakers), then what brand/model would you consider to be the best to purchase?
To keep them tonally balanced, I want them all to be from the same manufacturer.
Also, I listen to %60 Music and %40 HT.
I certainly realize that if I desire true quality I'll need to spend more money. However, I'm not in a position to do that right now. So, $1,500 is it.
Thanks for your insights.
Cheers |
| Not going to happen | Bryan
Jul 24, 2001 7:11 AM | | With your current budget. Full range speakers go from 20Hz - 20,000Hz. You'd be lucky to find a pair of speakers that do 40Hz - 20,000Hz for $1,500. The sub does not need to match the mains. It doesn't need to come from the same manufacturer. In short, you are looking at $1,000ish for the speakers and $500ish for the sub. Any particular reason why you do not want bookshelf speakers? They can be better than floorstanders when combined with a sub and can give you much better options. Until then, my only recommendation would be for the Home Theater Direct Level III combo Y set. It will run you $1,000. |
| Not going to happen | gladtrix
Jul 24, 2001 8:13 AM | | When I stated "Full Range" speakers, I didn't actually mean 20 Hz - 20 kHz. I just meant a pair that had a generally larger frequency range. My apologies. |
| Ony $10 over your budget, not including taxes | tedman
Jul 24, 2001 7:41 AM | | This should make you very happy and this is a top quality
speaker manufacturer; I'm considering their sub |
| Ony $10 over your budget, not including taxes | gladtrix
Jul 24, 2001 8:14 AM | | tedman,
There wasn't any information included in your posting. |
| Ony $10 over your budget, not including taxes | tedman
Jul 24, 2001 8:24 AM | | Try selecting the link and view gif. Let mw know if that works!! :) |
| Ony $10 over your budget, not including taxes | gladtrix
Jul 24, 2001 8:34 AM | | I did not see a link. Just an [X] where a jpg/gif might appear. |
| re: If Total Speaker Budget is $1,500, Then What System is Best? | Bob.
Jul 24, 2001 8:22 AM | | Yes, actually you could find speakers that are nearly full range for 1,500. However, there is one caveat and that is you'll have to buy used. You could get Paradigm 100's, PSB Goldi, Vandersteens etc...for the 1,500 figure and they'll all satisify the most demanding of audiophiles, thanks.
Bob |
| re: If Total Speaker Budget is $1,500, Then What System is Best? | burf
Jul 24, 2001 8:23 AM | | I'd piece one together as you go. Many have made the mistake of wanting a complete hometheater speaker package and later wishing they had waited. Start with a good pair of mains and then either a center or surrounds as you can afford it. I'm not a big fan of built in subs but Def Tech does an excellent job of doing this. The BP2004TL for example. They'll run about 1500 for the pair and provide accurate, big sound. I've listened to the 2002 and could easily live with them. If you can go 500 more the Paradigm Studio 100 v2 are the kind of speakers you can own for many years and be happy with. Paradigm and Definitive Technology would be two excellent ways to go. |
| re: If Total Speaker Budget is $1,500, Then What System is Best? | tedman
Jul 24, 2001 8:28 AM | | Select Home Theater packages from the link below.
http://www.axiomaudio.com
more specifically,
ttp://www.axiomaudio.com/1grandhtp.html |
| How about Cambridge SoundWorks @ $1,500? | gladtrix
Jul 24, 2001 8:43 AM | | I'm actually responding to my own posting :-)
A friend at work just suggested that I look at CSW. I obtained the following information from their website:
$700 - 2 X 'Tower II Floor-stanging speakers' (per pair)
$200 - 1 X 'CenterStage Center speaker' (each)
$200 - 2 X 'Surround 5.1 Surround speakers' (per pair)
$400 - 1 X 'BaseCube 15 Powered Subwoofer' (each)
------
$1,500 - Total Price
So, the price is perfect. I get everything I am after. But, what do you think about these speakers compared to others in its price range? An insights on the quality of their sound (considering their price)?
Cheers |
| How about Cambridge SoundWorks @ $1,500? | Woochifer
Jul 24, 2001 12:22 PM | | I listened to the Tower IIs when I was looking for mains and they did not compare well to other speakers in their price class (even after factoring in their $200 price reduction). I thought that the Tower IIs were just adequate with the mids and highs, but colored the bass way too much. The cabinets resonate a lot with acoustic bass and low electropiano sounds. The Tower IIs give you a pretty big sound, but I did not think a lot of it was controlled very well. If you live in the SF Bay Area or around Boston, you should go a CSW store and listen to them for yourself. I liked the Newton series (even though I don't like towers with powered subs in general), but they are overpriced for the sound they deliver. I would not do a direct order from CSW without hearing the speakers first. The main speakers are probably the most important part of your system and easily the most subjective.
With a budget of $1,500, you can piece together a pretty good B&W system, albeit without a sub. Going with the DM602 standmounts ($600), the matching center speaker ($350), and the DM303 bookshelfs ($350), will give you very high quality sound on all corners. If you don't like the more balanced and laid back B&W sound, then you can always go with the more forward sounding speakers from Paradigm or Klipsch. There are a LOT of other great speakers out there that you should also try out. But, in any case I would focus on finding a good pair of main speakers before worrying about assembling the whole package together.
Besides, who says that you need to buy all your speakers at the same time? If you have a set budget, you could always save up and add surrounds and a sub later on, especially if you currently have a pair of bookshelfs that can temporarily serve as surrounds. I think this rush to buy everything all at once sometimes leads people to tragic mistakes ... like buying a Bose Lifestyle system on their first day of shopping. Oh the horror!
When I went on my recent HT binge, I left about a $1,000 budget for mains, which I was willing to bump up to $1,100 if it included a center speaker. After testing about 35 different speakers, I went with the Paradigm Studio 40s, which at $900 a pair left me with insufficient budget for the center speaker. I'll add the matching center speaker in a few months when I save up some more milk money, and upgrade the surrounds later. |
| You mention Paradigm? More info please!!! | gladtrix
Jul 24, 2001 12:30 PM | | I am very interested in Paradigms. In fact, if I had another $1,500 to spend ($3,000 total), I would have got them.
Therefore, I must ask you which specific Paradigms models you are referring to?
The system I was looking at ran about $2,500! (with Monitor 11s)
Would you mind stating which Mains, which center, and which surround models you recommend that would keep me at $1500? I don't mind delaying the purchase of the subwoofer.
You've got me really excited. Please respond.
Cheers |
| You mention Paradigm? More info please!!! | Woochifer
Jul 24, 2001 1:11 PM | | Yeah, that package deal you were looking at with the Monitor 11s is a tad expensive, especially since some people prefer the Monitor 7 ($650) or the 9 ($800). The matching center speaker for the Monitor series costs $300 and if you prefer direct firing surround speakers (which I personally do), the Mini Monitors go for $350 a pair. If you go with the matching dipoles, I think those cost $500 a pair.
With a system that features the Monitor 9 as your mains, you're right under your budget. But, listen to them first. The Monitors are very forward sounding speakers that are little bit on the bright side and if you got a small listening room, they can easily overpower the room. Personally, I think the Monitor 9s have more than enough bass for most home theatre applications, so you might not even need a sub.
As an alternative, you could go with the Reference series, which has better midrange and a more controlled sound but does cost more. The Studio 20s go for $650 a pair, the larger Studio 40s cost $900 a pair, and the matching center goes for $500. If you want matching surrounds, you'll need to either buy another pair of 20s or the Studio dipoles, which run about $700 a pair.
And if you really want to go with a subwoofer, you can try piecing together a system with the Performance series speakers, which are cheaper than the Monitors. I've not heard any of them, so I can't really comment on them, but they're at least worth a listen. |
| Concerning B&W | gladtrix
Jul 24, 2001 12:50 PM | | Since B&W doesn't document their speaker prices, I just assummed that I couldn't afford them. I would love to get B&W as well as Paradigm. Again, can you suggest specific models? Also, where can I obtain accurate pricing on the web?
Cheers |
| Concerning B&W | Woochifer
Jul 24, 2001 2:39 PM | | Check some of the reviews on this site to see what people pay for B&W speakers. You'll find that very few people get huge discounts on those speakers, which are not available online. (Some stores will ship them, but only if you live in an area without a B&W dealer.) Then again, I think that they're more realistically priced than a lot of the models that get carried at large electronics/appliance superstores.
Some others on this site have put together home theatre systems with four B&W 300 series bookshelfs plus a center speaker. The B&W DM303s are incredible speakers for $350 a pair. Their only weakness is the deep bass response, but otherwise they are well balanced and very nice sounding. Within your budget, you can go with two DM602s (which are the best sounding speakers I've heard at the $600 per pair price point), the center speaker, and a pair of DM303s as surrounds for $1,300. B&Ws have a reputation for being tough on amplifiers, but with the 602s at least I did not encounter any issues with Denon and Yamaha receivers. However, because of their efficiency the Klipsch speakers will be far more forgiving on lower powered amps than a B&W would.
For info and dealer locations, go to www.bwspeakers.com |
| How about Cambridge SoundWorks @ $1,500? | gladtrix
Jul 24, 2001 12:26 PM | | A response to my response.
Well, I spent my lunch hour listening to these at the local shop. I was surprised by the fact the salesperson didn't know any of the specs on the speakers. He stated that CSW doesn't release them. I asked, "How can you expect consumers to make serious comparisons? What, are these toys?" Then, I answered my own question by remembering that I had to listen to them with my own ear. So, I did just that.
I'm no audiophile, but these speakers sounded flat. I say this in comparison to my earlier posting in the "Home Theater Rome" pertaining to my testing of the Klipsches with the Denon 3801 & 1601 at a local Tweeters.
I was also surprise that their 15" subwoofer (which was huge!) was only rated down to 30 Hz. I knew the Klipsch 10" subwoofer goes down 29 Hz. The salesperson didn't have a good explanation on that one. So, I inferred that these were crappy speakers.
Anyway, I just wanted to share. I look forward to testing all the great suggestions I've received to my original posting.
Thanks!!! |
| Try Here | MaxC
Jul 24, 2001 8:48 AM | | Since you want floorstanders try this:
Diva 5.1 currently (~$700 pr)
Diva C3 currently (~399)
Diva R3dipole currently (~399pr) or 2.1 ($399pr with stands)
This would give you a complete timbre matched real wood floor standing system for exactly $1500. It will be hard to beat a floorstanding system for that price. For music you probably won't even need a sub, but for movies you will. It is not important that the sub be from the same company, so I would recommond Hsu, SVS, or Rava, but this would cost you an extra $400-$500. You could buy this later.
Here is the site that sells them
www.AV123.com |
| Definitely Checking Out the Divas. Thanks! (nt) | gladtrix
Jul 24, 2001 1:03 PM | | |
| re: If Total Speaker Budget is $1,500, Then What System is Best? | Jim V
Jul 24, 2001 9:01 AM | | Gladtrix,
I haven't heard nOrh, Diva, Axiom or any other direct brands, so I can't speak to those. I have heard the following systems and recommend them if your tastes are satisfied. Speakers are VERY subjective; the most subjective piece of equipment, IMHO. I own the Energy setup (with different surrounds) and my brother-in-law owns the Phase Tech setup. The Energy C-2s are not floorstanders, but can really rock with or without a subwoofer:
Setup #1:
Energy C-2 (Fronts and surrounds). Can be found for between $300 and $400 a pair, if you're lucky. Discontinued, so may be hard to find. ($800)
Energy AC-300 center ($300)
Energy, HSU, Velodyne, SVS subwoofer ($400)
Setup # 2:
Phase Technology 7.5 VDT mains (floorstanders) ($600)
Phase Technology 6.5 VDT center ($250)
Phase Technology 4.5 VDT surrounds (direct radiating bookshelfs) ($260)
Same subwoofers listed above ($400)
Setup #3: (If you want to work a little bit and save a little money, or spend more on the subwoofer)
5 Audioreview.com DIY speakers ($800) Amazing speaker I use in my office system. Cost about $325 to build a pair. Not floorstanders, but amazingly deep bass for a smallish speaker.
Same subwoofers ($400)
Just a few ideas to kick around. Good luck.
Jim |
| re: If Total Speaker Budget is $1,500, Then What System is Best? | JackD
Jul 24, 2001 12:07 PM | | The best bang I have heard for the buck is as follows:
Sound Dynamics RTS-9's (front floorstanders)
Sound Dynamics RTS-3's (rear bookshelves)
Sound Dynamics RTS-C2 (Center)
The above should be able to be purchased from one of several on-line dealers for between $800-$900.
For subs consider the newest version of the HSU VTF-2 or SVS 20-39PC. Subwoofer choice will either put you either close to right on the money or several dollars under.
Jack |
| Based on Replies - How About a $1500 System w/out a Sub? | gladtrix
Jul 24, 2001 12:57 PM | | Based on all of your excellent responses, I've come to the conclusion that I should hold off the purchase of a subwoofer. Especially since you've told me that brand matching isn't as unimportant. Consequently, I'll take your advice and put extra money into the other 5 speakers. I still have $1,500 to spend now. So, without factoring in a subwoofer, which speaker system would you now recommend for that price range?
Specific model numbers are appreciated, as are links.
I intend to spend the evening looking at all the websites that you all recommended.
Thanks so much!
Cheers |
| Based on Replies - How About a $1500 System w/out a Sub? | Rory
Jul 24, 2001 2:29 PM | | Get the bose!!! LMAO!! |
| Based on Replies - How About a $1500 System w/out a Sub? | PJ
Jul 24, 2001 10:06 PM | | Well, for HT, a sub is mandatory (anyone who tells you otherwise, has IMO, got their head up their arse..).
You can get away without a sub for Music, but you will need mains that can go under 50Hz IMO, or its going to sound thin.
Its a little over budget, but I would look very strongly at the nOrh Prism 6.9 package. You may, however, not like the looks. |
| re: If Total Speaker Budget is $1,500, Then What System is Best? | RGA
Jul 24, 2001 3:04 PM | | If you go full range then skip the sub - full range means FULL...which you are not likely to get at $1500.00.
The Sub is not all that important to tonally match since most that make the claim don't. I would get the B&W DM602S2 in front for $600.00 the DM 302s or 303s in back for $200.00 - $300.00 the Matching Center for $300.00 and possiblt the B&W enry sub to round it out or a cheaper($300.00) sub and add another $200.00 for Stands.
If you buy it all at once you'll easily get in your budget. |
| re: If Total Speaker Budget is $1,500, Then What System is Best? | PJ
Jul 24, 2001 5:44 PM | | As the others said, I would be after 5 bookshelves and a high quality sub.
If it was me....5 nOrh ceramic 4.0's and a the SVS sub of your choice. |
| Agreed | Bryan
Jul 25, 2001 5:13 AM | | The nOrh 4.0 package will run $850 and the SVS 20-39PC runs $779. That would have to be my system of choice and you could get it for $1,629 (not too much over what you were looking to spend originally). You could also get the Prism 6.9 video system and subsitute 4.1s or 4.0s for the rears and that will lower the price by $100. The downside is you still will not have a sub. The upside of it is that you will have quality mains that go down to 34Hz (as opposed to the 4.0s 65Hz). Good luck with your decision! |
| |
|
|
